UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC denies Bengal plea to stay voter roll freeze

Q1. Under Phase-II of the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, exactly how many States (excluding Union Territories) were brought under revision?

  • A. Six
  • B. Eight
  • C. Nine
  • D. Sixteen

Q2. With reference to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, consider the following States: Which of the above are correctly identified as States covered under Phase-II of the SIR?

  1. Kerala
  2. Bihar
  3. Uttar Pradesh
  4. Tamil Nadu
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The Supreme Court's April 2026 directions creating a supplementary revised electoral roll for West Bengal's SIR were passed by a Bench headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice Surya Kant
  • B. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
  • C. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi
  • D. Justice B.R. Gavai

Q4. With reference to the Supreme Court's order of 6 April 2026 on the West Bengal SIR, consider the following statements: Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Voters whose appeals are allowed before the cut-off are to be added through a supplementary revised electoral roll
  2. The cut-off dates for effectuating appellate directions were fixed as 21 and 27 April 2026
  3. The Court invoked Article 142 to fashion the relief
  4. The Court stayed the freezing of West Bengal's electoral roll to give deleted voters more time
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 4

Q5. Which one of the following is the landmark case in which the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to hand over the disputed land to a trust/party while directing that alternative land be provided to the other party?

  • A. The Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi) title dispute
  • B. Kesavananda Bharati case
  • C. Union Carbide (Bhopal Gas) case
  • D. Vishaka case

Q6. The power of the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing 'complete justice' in a matter pending before it flows exclusively from which one of the following Articles of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 136
  • C. Article 142
  • D. Article 226

Q7. With reference to the Supreme Court's action on the Malda gherao case, consider the following statements: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The cases were transferred to the National Investigation Agency
  2. The incident involved the gherao of judicial officers deployed for the SIR exercise
  3. The gherao occurred in Malda district of West Bengal
  4. The Court effected the transfer invoking Article 32 of the Constitution
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. How many cases (FIRs) relating to the April 2026 Malda gherao of judicial officers did the Supreme Court direct to be transferred to the National Investigation Agency?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Twelve
  • D. Twenty-six

Q9. The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 expanded the NIA's mandate by adding how many additional categories of offences that the Agency may investigate?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q10. Under Article 324, when one or more Election Commissioners are appointed in addition to the Chief Election Commissioner, who acts as the Chairman of the Election Commission?

  • A. The senior-most Election Commissioner
  • B. The Chief Election Commissioner
  • C. A Regional Commissioner appointed by the President
  • D. A nominee of the President chosen by rotation

Q11. The superintendence, direction and control of the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election (held on 23 and 29 April) is operationalised by which one of the following?

  • A. The State Election Commission of West Bengal
  • B. The Election Commission of India
  • C. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. The Law Commission of India

Q12. With reference to the legal status of the right to vote in India, consider the following statements: Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 326 provides for elections on the basis of adult suffrage for citizens aged 18 and above
  2. The preparation and revision of electoral rolls is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950
  3. The prevailing judicial view treats the right to vote as a statutory right rather than a fundamental right
  4. The right to vote is expressly guaranteed as a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only